Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
By Doug La Rocque, with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore
Twas about a month before Christmas, and all through the house (the Grafton VFW to be exact), there were lots of people stirring, but no one saw a mouse. The stockings were hung by Santa’s chair with care, with hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there. [Read more…] about Breakfast With Santa Claus In Grafton
State Police said the young male driver of this blue pick- up truck was lucky not to have been seriously hurt, after he lost control while traveling westbound on Grafton’s Old Road on November 27.
[Read more…] about Pick Up Rolls Over Sunday Evening In Grafton
by Thaddeus Flint
Water from the High School/Middle School and the Elementary School in the Berlin School District has tested positive for lead, it was reported at the Tuesday, November 15 School Board meeting.
According the District’s Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, Cyril Grant, 17 of 39 samples from the Elementary School and 34 of 94 samples at the High School/Middle School came back with lead amounts higher than the New York State accepted level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). [Read more…] about Berlin District Has 51 Taps Above The 15 ppb Threshold
By Doug La Rocque
By unanimous vote, the Town Board moved the preliminary budget to the final spending plan with a 3% tax increase, or $1.31 per thousand of assessed valuation. The budget calls for $1.2 million in spending, with increases in Buildings, Youth Programs, Supervisor’s Secretary and Employee benefits, offset by revenue increases in County Sales Tax, Time Warner Franchise Fees, Youth Programs and a transfer of $10,600 from the Unexpended Fund Balance. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Board Gives Final Approval To 2017 Budget
By Doug La Rocque
At its November 8 meeting, the Rensselaer County Legislature took action on a variety of topics. One of the most notable was a resolution that requested State review of potential abuse of Medicaid-funded ambulance transport. The legislation states the County has learned from various emergency service providers of “chronic callers,” who while receiving public assistance and Medicaid, call for ambulance transport on numerous occasions for issues that are not life-threatening or serious medical emergencies. [Read more…] about Rensselaer County Legislative Action
By Doug La Rocque
Following a public hearing at which no one spoke, only looked at a map of the sub-division, the Board voted to allow Betsy Dykstra to sell off 5.78 acres of her property to Ray Dufour. He wants to acquire the land to give more protection for his driveway. [Read more…] about Proposed Subdivision Of Land On Madonna Lake Road Gets The Go Ahead From Grafton Planning Board
Friday and Saturday November 18 and 19 the Berlin MS Dramateers will present their production of Willy Wonka, Jr.
The students in grades 6 through 8, led by teachers Karen Day and Leslie Eliashuk, have spent countless hours preparing dance numbers, building and painting sets, learning their lines and their songs, and so much more. [Read more…] about Berlin Middle School Dramateers Present Willy Wonka, Jr.
By Doug La Rocque
The regular November meeting of the Grafton Town Board on November 14 was preceded by two public hearings, the first on the proposed 2017 town budget.
In response to a question resident Jim Prazak of Pond View Road asked last week about why the Town’s total taxable value had gone down [Read more…] about Residents Again Urge The Board To Reduce The Proposed Tax Hike To Keep It Under The Tax Cap
Amy Schaaphok Retains Her Seat On The Petersburgh Town Board
by Doug La Rocqu
By the margin of 706 – 350, Allison Kirchner held on to the council seat she was appointed to in January. Kirchner, the Republican backed candidate, was opposed by Democrat Vicky Burdick. [Read more…] about Councilwoman Kirchner Retains Her Seat On The Grafton Town Board
By Doug La Rocque
It was one of the most hotly contested races in the nation in the battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives, and one of the most expensive. [Read more…] about John Faso Downs Zephyr Teachout To Keep 19th Congressional District In Republican Control
